Profile: Rhys, SEO Creative Copywriter

Rhys joined Black Lab in July as our SEO Creative Copywriter. Supporting the SEO team and the business as a whole, let’s find out a bit more about him.

Tell us a little about your history before Black Lab?

Before Black Lab, I spent five or-so years in the hospitality industry. It was high-paced and stressful but on the best of days, very rewarding. I balanced this with a freelance photo/video business that saw me published in a popular music magazine – working for artists that have eventually gone on to play at Wembley Arena. Over COVID, I found an appreciation for Formula 1 and sim racing.

What’s your day-to-day like?

As a member of the SEO team, my focus is on putting our clients in front of customers using search engines like Google and Bing (though my favourite is DuckDuckGo). My main responsibilities lie in creating copy and carrying out rigorous data analysis to craft tailor-made, bespoke strategies for each client. I’ve also somehow become office DJ; controlling the SONOS soundtrack Tuesday-Thursday.

What drew you to a career in Digital Marketing?

I applied to a BUNCH of jobs upon leaving my previous employment, it wasn’t until I found the position with Black Lab that I really gave Digital Marketing any proper consideration. The terms “PPC” and “SEO” had been bounded around my previous office a couple of times, but I didn’t really understand it. Finding a position with Black Lab, who take a data-driven and customer-centric approach really ticked the boxes for me.

Self-professed as “nerdy about data”, combined with a welcoming, healthy culture — I couldn’t really have asked for more. I’m a bit of a PC nerd, having built my own and keeping my coding skills relatively up to date, so discovering the world of user analytics, APIs and data manipulation piqued my interest.

Pair this all with a track record in writing live music reviews to accompany my photo/video business, I felt I could really get involved with my SEO Copywriting role, and eventually flourish.

Give us some more quick tidbits?

I received my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in 2015 and hold Grade VIII certifications on both Guitar and the Trumpet. I’m a musician first and foremost, with a BA in Music and Music Technology. I’ve been published in leading UK magazines, both online and in print. My (sim) lap record around Silverstone is in the 1:26’s.

Non-sequitur: Do you have any pets?

My girlfriend and I have a cat, Bagpuss. She’s a terror.